The Reader · written by David Hare · 2008

The girls join the boys’ class; Sophie introduces herself to Michael before the lesson begins.

Scene 68 of 196 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act two

Act oneAct two

Begins 26 min into a 1:21 film

The story so farBefore scene 68

As a law student, Michael sees Hanna, his former lover, on trial for war crimes and must face the secret that shaped their teenage relationship.

Scenes 1–6
In 1995, Michael prepares breakfast for Brigitte, then is alone in his apartment and looks out the window.
Scenes 7–24
The sick schoolboy Michael accepts Hanna’s help and returns to her.
Scenes 25–35
Michael enters an intimate relationship with Hanna, organized around his reading to her.
Just before
Scene 65
At the courthouse, Michael dons his robe and hurries in with Gerhard and an assistant carrying documents.
Scene 66
Michael joins his client just before the judge enters; he sits and drifts into memory.
Scene 67
Sophie and another girl approach their new classroom, joking about how they will behave among the boys.
Scene 68
This scene

68INT. SCHOOL. DAY

The BOYS are already in place, dotted round, as the GIRLS come in. There are cries of ‘Here they come’. Then the TEACHER comes in.

TEACHER

Good morning, ladies. Gentlemen,

please welcome your new fellow-

students, treat them with courtesy,

please.

Not far from MICHAEL, a GIRL sits across the aisle, virginal with brown hair, brown summer skin.

SOPHIE

Hello. My name’s Sophie.

MICHAEL

I’m Michael.

The TEACHER comes in. The class quietens.